KY Energy Infrastructure

Minerals Information

Limestone and Dolomite Resources

Karst Potential Index (KPI)

Landslide Information

Water Wells & Springs

Groundwater Quality

Convert A Single Coordinate Value

Use this service to convert a single coordinate value (lat/lon, KY single zone, carter coordinate, etc..) to 14 different coordinate values. Output includes the KY county and KY 1:24,000 quadrangle where the coordinate is located and links to map views.

Convert Multiple Coordinates

Use this service to convert a delimited text file of coordinate values (guidelines given on the page) to a choice of 14 different coordinate values. Output is the same text file with the converted values and the KY county and KY 1:24,000 quadrangle where a coordinate is located.

Geological Educational Resources for K-16

In 1996, the Education Committee of the Kentucky Geological Survey, in conjunction with the Kentucky Society of Professional Geologists, established the Earth Science Education Network (ESEN). Originally, the network provided a group of geologists who served as resource persons for teachers. In the fall of 1996, ESEN was expanded to provide resources from around the globe using the World Wide Web.

Ash Yield in Coal (Proximate Analysis)

Ash yield is one of the most common parameters measured in coal. Ash yield is measured to determine how much material remains (called ash residue) after a coal is combusted. Ash yield is measured directly in an automated proximate analyzer or ashing furnace. Results are presented in weight percent.

The ash yield of a coal sample is the amount of material remaining after combustion.

For this test, a coal sample is ground to a set size (-60 mesh, less than or equal to 250 micron particle size), weighed, and then combusted at temperatures between 500 and 750°C for 1 hour. The weight of the material that remains after combustion is then compared to the original weight of the sample to measure the percent ash yield (ASTM method D3174-12; American Society for Testing and Materials, 2013, p. 498–503):

The ash yield or residue from a coal sample is largely composed of the mineral matter in the coal, but does not equal the original mineral matter content of the coal, because some of the minerals or mineral phases in the original coal sample (e.g., sulfides and carbonates) are destroyed or converted to other mineral compounds during combustion.

Ash yield represents part of the original mineral matter in coal that does not combust.

Ash yield is an important parameter for steam coals and for coals used in industrial furnaces. Increasing ash yield corresponds to lower heating (calorific) value. Most steam coals used for electricity require less than 20 percent ash content (air-dried), and less than 10 percent ash is required in most utility contracts. Because ash represents that part of a coal that will not combust in the boiler, the ash yield provides information on how much material will be left after combustion, which will need to be disposed of.

In the steel industry, low-ash contents are preferred for coking coals. High volatile matter in coals produces lower coke yields. Coals with volatile matter of 20 to 35 percent (on an air-dried basis) are preferred for coking coals (Thomas, 1992). Coals with very low ash yields (less than 2 percent) are sometimes used to make silicon metal and as a feedstock for chemicals.